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Joniak: Worry About Game, Not Conditions

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 15: A sign outside of the front of TCF Bank Stadium as preparation start for a potential monday night football game between the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears on December 15, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Preparations are due to the collapsed roof at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome. (Photo by Hannah Foslien /Getty Images)

Who in their right mind will be looking forward to play in wind chills predicted in the -20 degree range next Monday night?

Hopefully the Bears do.

The Vikings will roll out the red carpet at the University of Minnesota’s on campus venue, TCF Bank Stadium. And the forecast calls for brutally cold temperatures.

No shock. It’s late December in Minneapolis.

The Bears did not handle the snow and wind last Sunday as well as the Patriots did, and need to respond in a big way against the Vikings Monday night.

They have to play the Vikings, not the situation, nor the field conditions.

Minnesota is eliminated from playoff contention, but that doesn’t make them any less dangerous. As long as the Vikings give the ball to Adrian Peterson, they are a threat to beat the Bears.

The Bears have lost seven of their last eight games indoors at the Metrodome. Part of the reason is the Vikings front four led by Kevin Williams and pass rusher Jared Allen. They are ever-present dangers to Jay Cutler.

In other words, there is enough to worry about. Don’t worry about the conditions.

A division title could be clinched and the playoff process could begin.

It is not unlike the trip to Baltimore last year. The Bears struggled to get there and play the game after the record Maryland snowfall. They didn’t play well.

One of the most energetic and exciting voices of the National Football League, Jeff Joniak enters his 16th season behind the microphone as the play-by-play announcer of the Chicago Bears in 2016.
Joniak’s passion for the game and for the Bear...